Border imbroglio – The Dilemma April 2025

Adobe stock

Luis lives in Sarnia, Ont., right on the U.S. border. Like most people in Sarnia, he swings back and forth across the Bluewater Bridge to Port Huron in Michigan as casually as if he’s driving to another part of town. 9/11 slowed things down a bit with the requirement to show a passport, but he still makes the trip a few times a week because he can get supplies for his jobs cheaper there as long as he stays under the daily maximums. He usually tanks up the truck on cheap American gas while he’s there, too.

Luis is now a Canadian citizen but he was born in Mexico. He’s been seeing the stories of U.S. immigration officers picking up people they suspect of being gang members and flying them off to El Salvador without any hearing or other due process. In some case, the reports say, mistakes have been made. Apparently, ICE agents are using tatoos to identify who is a gang member. Luis has a few tatoos, though they don’t have anything to do with gangs.

Getting deals in the U.S. has been nice, but ending up in an El Salvadoran jail doesn’t sound great. Luis gets that it’s extremely unlikely he’d be targeted this way. It’s hard to assess the risk since this is a situation that’s never been happening before for as long as he can remember.

What should Luis do?

1. Keep on cross-border shopping. Trump is making an example of some bad actors and won’t bother Luis.
2. Stay and buy in Canada. One ornery border guard could end Luis’ freedom.
3. Send his wife, a Canadian by birth, to get the supplies. Though she might not be thrilled with the extra work…
4. Get a Nexus pass in hopes it gives him a higher degree of trust when crossing the border.
5. Something else?

YOU COULD WIN

DEWALT 20V Grabo Lifter Kit (Model DCE592D1)

Grab and lift construction materials with the 20V MAX GRABO Lifter. With a lift-load capacity of up to 265 lbs. MAX, the lifter utilizes a powerful electric vacuum pump to lift a wide range of heavy construction materials including glass, tile, and metal, as well as semi-porous materials like wood, drywall, concrete and natural stones. This product is equipped with a built-in pressure sensor that automatically controls the pump that helps to maintain the vacuum grip. Featuring a digital pressure gauge display, audio alarm, and a double-action button, the 20V MA* GRABO Lifter helps maximize user control during lifting, carrying or installation applications. Powered by a 20V MAX battery, this tool conveniently offers generous runtime for long work days

Retail: $309.99 for the Chainsaw and $449.99 for the DEWALT Grabo.

Give your solution to Luis’ dilemma in the comments below. Three monthly winners will be selected and entered into a draw for the quarterly prize.